Cambodia: One year later, still no justice for environmental activist Chut Wutty

International Federation for Human Rights, Cambodia: One year later, still no justice for environmental activist Chut Wutty, 26 April 2013, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/518ceec139.html [accessed 17 October 2017]

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Last Update 26 April 2013

Geneva-Paris, April 26, 2013. One year after the extrajudicial killing of prominent environmental and anti-logging activist Mr. Chut Wutty, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), in the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, express their deep concern about the lack of significant progress in the investigation into his murder.

On April 26, 2012, while accompanying two journalists to investigate alleged illegal logging and land grabs in Koh Kong province, Mr. Chut Wutty, Founder of the National Resources Protection Group (NRPG) in Mondol Seima district, Koh Kong province, was fatally shot in the leg and stomach as he tried to start his car, following a heated stand-off with military police and representatives of logging company Timber Green. The alleged shooter, Mr. In Rattana, a military police officer, was also found shot dead at the scene.

On October 4, 2012, Koh Kong Provincial Court declared the case closed after concluding that Mr. Chut Wutty was killed by Mr. In Rattana, who was in turn fatally shot by a logging company's security guard.

As of today, the circumstances of Mr. Chut Wutty's death still remain unclear.

"We strongly condemn the prevailing impunity in Mr. Chut Wutty's murder, and we urge the Cambodian authorities to finally establish the full truth and bring to justice all those responsible", said OMCT Secretary General Gerald Staberock today.

"The authorities of Cambodia should also ensure in all circumstances that defenders of economic, social and cultural rights are able to work without any fear of reprisals", added FIDH President Souhayr Belhassen.

The Observatory more generally urges the authorities of Cambodia to put an end to all acts of harassment against human rights defenders and to conform to the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights instruments ratified by Cambodia.